They seemed more agile and tactful this time around, Yerbol shouting a "THANKS!" as he obeyed Aria's warning and ducked out of the way from what could have been his final moments of life. One had gotten Aria, but it paid the price swiftly, prompting the others to howl in protest. One of the creatures that had hit the ground was bounding towards him from his left flank, outstretched claws ready to tear his chest to ribbons. The Knight fell back, extending his saber above him as the creature flung itself through the weapon, gore and viscera splattering to the ground close to Yerbol's head. He jumped to his feet, spotting the other ground dweller and thrust his hand out in attempt to slam it against the rock face. 

Nothing. 

He tried again. The creature let out a throaty cackle as it skittered across the wall, legs whirling chaotically before launching itself at the young Knight. Yerbol dodged, trying to connect with his saber, but the creature had anticipated the move, stopping right in front of the Knight and slamming one of it's spindly legs into his abdomen, Yerbol pushed back several feet towards the hole Aria had made mention of. He wanted to stay and fight, but they had to make it up to the top. If "conquering" meant slicing the beasts down when they ascended, fine, but he didn't like the notion of combating the beasts on the ground floor. Doing anything out of order or wrong in these trials could spell death for the both of them. They had to keep moving. 
"Come!" Sprinting through the opening, Yerbol spotted a passageway to their left that featured a staircase winding upwards. He bounded towards it, the assumed guardians of the trials chasing them ferociously, snapping their razor sharp teeth as they moved. Clambering up the stairs, Yerbol spotted square openings to their left overlooking the chamber they had departed from. A couple of the monsters were still there, watching their progress. 

Wait...

Yerbol spun around on one stair, smirking before throwing his lightsaber in a downward arc, catching both creatures by surprise. Their lifeless, severed bodies rolled down the stairs as the saber came back to it's owner. 
"These narrow corridors are perfect for us. Without room to navigate, their agility is stunted. Even they know it." He motioned to the creatures below, prowling the ground floor with strident, violent motions. 
"If we can keep to these interior staircases, then maybe we can avoid them altogether...or at least, for the time being." Yerbol brushed past his companion, walking a few steps up to a landing. There was a heavy wooden door to their left with two more staircases to their left and right, both of which led upwards. He turned his head towards Aria, telling her:
"Hey, before we go on...thanks for, you know, saving my life. I could've been food for those  things if it wasn't for you."